Making Sweet Music

Singer, songwriter and guitar player Allysen Callery has both travel and music in her blood. She was born outside of San Francisco, lived for a time in Taiwan and grew up in Providence. After her father died, she went to live with her grandmother. “We moved to Bristol to be near her older sister, who was living in what had been the family’s summer cottage by Bristol Narrows,” Callery says. “I later bought a cottage in the same area, I love it here.”

She inherited the musical gene from her father who was an excellent classical guitar player. “[Instruments] were strewn all over the house,” she says. “I was encouraged to choose my own as a child, which was violin for many years. When he died I took up the guitar to carry on his memory.” Callery has since released four CDs; her first release show was on her 40 birthday at the Church Street Coffee House. “Rick Norman who runs the venue made me a big chocolate cake. I felt so proud and they made me feel so special,” she says with a smile.

The songstress’s favorite place to see live music in The Bay is Common Fence Point. “You can bring a picnic and BYOB, but they also have great food there to purchase,” she says. “It’s so festive to go with a big group of friends. It’s the best experience.” I wonder if it’s better than touring the world; Callery has toured for the past two years in Germany and Switzerland, any musician’s dream come true.

She’ll be playing at Common Fence Point as part of the Fiddlers and Fishermen Festival on January 19. “It’s a whole night dedicated to songs of the sea,” Callery explains. “The night is filled with many different styles of acoustic folk music – some funny, some serious. Everyone does two songs. The whole night is such a blast. Bring your friends, bring a picnic and a bottle of wine... be prepared to have the best time.”

There are many other exciting concerts scheduled this winter at Common Fence too. Tom Rush opens the month of February with his show on February 2 at 8pm. Tickets are $35. Jesus Andujar and Grupo Sazon close out the season with Afro-Caribbean traditional and pop music on March 23 at 8pm. Tickets are $22.